Adding wrasses with a Harlequin Tusk?

Waters · Apr 3, 2016

I think I made a huge mistake......currently I have a Tusk along with a Leopard Wrasse, Kole Tang, and some other small fish. Everybody gets along for the most part. I recently added a Blue Flasher Wrasse who finally appeared only to quickly be bullied back into hiding by the Tusk. Now I am reading that any Wrasse added after an established Tusk will be bullied/killed? Has anybody successfully added additional wrasses to a tank containing a Tusk? Between my Kole Tang and my Tusk, I am running out of fish possibilities

Looking back, it appears my Tusk should have been added last.

Bdog4u2 · Apr 5, 2016

You could rearrange the tank or if you can catch the tusk maybe put him in quarantine for a few weeks. I always make a list of fish I want an the order they need to go in I also resist impulse buys I learned the hard way

atlfishes · Apr 5, 2016

I have experience with only one Tusk, but haven't had issues adding new wrasses.

eatbreakfast · Apr 5, 2016

How big is the tusk? I've added wrasses to a tank with a tusk under 4" without much issue. Also, if he is smaller, catching him and placing him in an acclimation box may allow the new guy to establish himself for a little.

mmw64 · Apr 5, 2016

eatbreakfast said:
How big is the tusk? I've added wrasses to a tank with a tusk under 4" without much issue. Also, if he is smaller, catching him and placing him in an acclimation box may allow the new guy to establish himself for a little.

Just something I have wondered about. I understand adding fish in the correct order but what happens when one dies and it wasn't the last one added? Then what?

NeuroticAquatics · Apr 5, 2016

I added a Green Bird Wrasse after my Tusk had been in for several months. Both were about 5-6". I had planned to add a Banana Wrasse at the end.

Waters · Apr 5, 2016

The Tusk is roughly 3 to 3.5 inches. I also have a leopard wrasse that the tusk will for the most part leave alone so I assumed he would be fine with another wrasse. The new wrasse is about the same size as the leopard but the Tusk does not tolerate him at all. Something about my tank just turns fish angry lol. I have a Kole tang that terrorizes some of the other fish as well. Bdog4u2 - the new wrasse was to replace a Cardinal that had died.

Waters · Apr 5, 2016

eatbreakfast said:
How big is the tusk? I've added wrasses to a tank with a tusk under 4" without much issue. Also, if he is smaller, catching him and placing him in an acclimation box may allow the new guy to establish himself for a little.

The acclimation box is a good idea (assuming I can get one big enough)....I had thought about placing him into a QT tank for a while but didn't want to risk the health of the tusk. At least with the acclimation box, he would remain in the tank.

Ben jammin · Apr 6, 2016

I've had a 5-6" tusk for a couple years. I've added at least twenty different fish since then including many wrasses of many different genera and my tusk does not care one iota. He does have a taste for diamond gobies - he's eaten the last two I had(!) - but he's never paid any attention to any other fish, even small ones.

eatbreakfast · Apr 6, 2016

mmw64 said:
Just something I have wondered about. I understand adding fish in the correct order but what happens when one dies and it wasn't the last one added? Then what?

It really all depends on the temperament of the fish in the tank. Using a social acclimation box can help for introducing new fish can help. Though not possible in all tanks, rearranging tank decor can also help.

eatbreakfast · Apr 6, 2016

Waters said:
The acclimation box is a good idea (assuming I can get one big enough)....I had thought about placing him into a QT tank for a while but didn't want to risk the health of the tusk. At least with the acclimation box, he would remain in the tank.

Plastic Critter cages come in a bunch of sizes and are pretty inexpensive.

jasonrusso · Sep 1, 2016

I should have read this before. I have a 5” Harlequin Tusk. I have added small lions, anglers, and just a few weeks ago a foxface. He never bothered with anyone. I recently added a good size six line wrasse. The tusk chased him constantly (I thought it was just new tank mate initiation) until he was dead 2 days later.